Window-screen



UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

ORRIN P. HOWE, OF AUGUSTA, MAINE.

WINDOW-SC REEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,383, dated March 9, 1880.

Application filed February 4, 1880. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORRIN P. HOWE, of Augusta,in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window-Screens and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,

which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention consists, in general terms, in providing awindow-screen which shall be adjustable to windows of different widths, which shall be further adjustable to windows which are out of square, as they are often found to be, which shall remain at all times in place, which may be used independently of the window-sash. and which may be freely opened and shut without removal from the window. This I accomplish by providing a screen consisting of two separate and independent parts, each the full height of the complete screen and something over one-half the width of the window, their edgeslapping by each other. Extending along the top and bottom of these screen frames are two flat rails, which reach from one side of the windowopening to the other, each rail having a flange projecting from its back edge. These rails are firmly attached to one of the screen-frames above and below in such a manner that the other frame may he slid back and forth behind it, the flanges on the rails forming guides which hold the two frames together. Attached to the fixed screen-frame, at the edge next the side of the window, is a vertical cleat, so arranged that two springs, acting between it i and the frame, force it against the side of the window, and at the same time press back the fixed frame, which, being attached to the horizontal rails before mentioned, push their ends against the opposite side of the window-opening, thus fixing the screen firmly in place. The screen-frame which is unattached to the horizontal rails is thus left free to be moved back and forth without removing the screen from the window. A cleat is attached to the edge of the movable screen-frame, which may be adjusted to the side of the window, when this is not square. The attachment of the cleat to the fixed and movable screens is such that they may adjust themselves to the sides of a window out of true.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows front elevation of a window with my screen in position. Fig. 2 shows section through as m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows plan or top view. Fig. 4. shows section through 3 y of Fig. 1.

A A are two separate screen-frames, each being the full height of the screen, and of a width a little more than one-half the width of the widest window to which the screen is adapted. The lateral edges of these two frames lap by each other.

Attached firmly to the top and bottom of the screen-frame A are the rails G 0, each havside of the frame A, guides to hold the frame A in place, allowing it to slide back and forth in the rear of frame A.

Secured to the immovable frame A, at the edge next to the side of the window-opening, is the vertical cleat B, extending the full height of the screen. This cleat B is attached to frame A by slots 0 c and screws 0 c, which are left somewhat loose to allow of lateral motion. At the edge of the cleat B which comes against the side of the window is a flange or projection, b extending backward from its face, and between this flange b and the edge of the frame A are fixed the coiled springs D D in such a manner that the cleat Bis continually forced against the window-casing.

I am aware that self-adjusting side cleats have been combined with window-screens by means of coiled springs, but in all such cases,

as to cause the cleat always to move substantially parallel with the side of the screen.

This construction I omit, in order that each end of the cleat may adjust itself to fit the screen to window-frames not exactly square.

E is a cleat similar in construction to the last-mentioned, and is secured to the edge of the frame A by means of slots and screws, which allow of its being'adjusted laterally at top and bottom, but which are kept tightened when the screen is in use. The edge of the cleatE comes against the side of the window when the frame A is closed.

F is a knob or handle for sliding the frame A backand forth.

Having set forth the manner of constructing my invention, I now proceed to describe the method of using the same.

The railsO O are first cut of a length equa to the width of the opening in which the screen isto be-used. If the rails are originally too long the surplus is to be taken from the end bearing the sliding frame A. The cleat B, before the screen is inserted in the window, will be found to be forced out to its fullest extent from the edge of the frame A by the action of the springs D, as shown by the dotted lines, Fig. 2; but the cleat B being forced back until it is flush with the ends of the rails G O, the whole frame isthen put in position in the window. The springs D D immediately-press the cleat B against the side of the opening, and at the same time force the frameAin the contrary direction; and as the frame A is attached firmly to the rails O 0, their ends are pressed against the opposite side of the window, thus holding the entire screen firmly in position. The frame A is thus left free to he slid back behind the frame A, and opened or shut at will. If the sides of the window are out of square the cleat E is adjusted to such irregularity by loosening the screws that hold it, and moving it out at the top or bottom as required, and then tightening them again.

tance measured between the outside edges of the two cleats B and E when the edges of the frames A A overlap each other a short distance. Itis evident thatthe ends of theframes A and A will overlap each other more or less, according to the width of the window.

After a screen has once been fitted to a window it may be fitted to narrower ones, as shown, and may be also adjusted to those of greater width within the limit of the movement of the cleat B.

My screen may be used independently of the sash, outside or inside of it, or directly under it, as in ordinary screens.

Among the advantages which I claim for my screen over those now in use are cheapness, durability, the ease with which they are fitted to ordinary windows, the fact that they remain firmly in place without the 'aid of the sash, and that they are capable of opening and shutting without being removed from the window.

I claim- In a window-screen, the combination of the screen-frames A A, rails O O, cleat B, suitably fastened, and springs D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ORRIN P. HOWE.

Witnesses OLIVER P. BRAGDON, GHAs. KIMBALL. 

